Domaine Joseph Drouhin Visit

Founded in 1880, Maison Drouhin remains a high respected family-owned domaine and negociant house. Located in the heart of Beaune, down the street from Hotel Dieu of the Hospices de Beaune, their cellars covers 1 hectare of the town and are built on the foundations of the ancient Roman fort from the 4h Century.

With 80 hectares of vineyards from Chablis, Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise, Drouhin has also established a winery in Oregon in the 1980s. Today, the domain is run by four family members with Véronique Drouhin as chief winemaker.

Drouhin also make a Marc de Bourgogne from the pomace (grape pressings) of their celebrated Côte de Beaune parcel, Clos de Mouche, ranked Premier Cru of Beaune, and aged in their cellars for 15-20 years.

At the cellar, you can also view a Medieval press and traditional equipment that was used to make wine. They still use the press to make wines for special vintages or significant events. 

Tour through the cellars which concluded with a wine tasting.

We were hosted by Cyril Ponelle, Public Relations Officer and tasted the following wines. 

Domaine Joseph Drouhin

Chardonnay

Chablis Montmains Premier Cru 2020 fresh, lemon zest, youthful style

Saint-Romain 2020; barrel fermented chardonnay from an appellation within the Côte de Beaune with an elevation of 400 meters. 

Meursault Charmes Premier Cru 2019 with 18 months in barrels, batonnage, classic style of Meursault.

Pinot Noir

Saigny-Les-Beaune Fourneaux Premier Cru 2019, fresh Cherries, cinnamon 16 months in oak

Morey-Saint-Denis Genavrieres Premier Cru 2019, mulberries, cinnamon, youthful

Corton Grand Cru 2017 only red Grand Crus of the Côte de Beaune; red fruits, firm tannins and acidity

Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2018 where Drouhin have a parcel of 1 hectare. Cherries, truffle, cinnamon. This wine needs 10 years to show expression.

At the end Cyril then blind tasted, Andrea with a library wine from the cellars. Cyril added, ‘For this wine, You can spit inside…’ It was the Beaune Clos de Mouche Premier Cru, 1991.